Posted on 12/21/2014 2:45:55 PM PST by Impala64ssa
A Tarpon Springs police officer was shot and killed overnight, and a man identified as a transient has been charged with first-degree murder, authorities said.
Veteran officer Charles "Charlie K" Kondek was fatally shot sometime after 2 a.m. near 199 Grand Blvd., a few blocks from the city's Sponge Docks. He was a father of five and former New York City policeman.
The Tarpon Springs Police Department released the officer's name on its Facebook page around 11:15 a.m., saying "our hearts and prayers go out to the Kondek Family and our deepest sympathy." Investigators are also working a nearby second scene on Athens Street, where the shooter - identified as 23-year-old Marco Antonio Parilla Jr. - fled in a white Hyundai sedan. Parilla crashed into a power pole and snapped it and then crashed into a pickup truck, Pinellas County Sheriff's Office spokesperson Cecila Barreda said.
Parilla was arrested and taken to the Pinellas County Jail.
During a press conference on Sunday afternoon, Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri said Parilla has an extensive criminal record of nearly 30 felony arrests, and 15 misdemeanor arrests. Parilla was released from the Florida Department of Corrections in March. Officials said Kondek had arrived at the scene in response to a call, but gave no other details. Kondek was wounded and transported to Florida Hospital North Pinellas, where he later died. A neighbor told Bay News 9 she heard about three shots coming from the scene. A second neighbor said he saw a man running through the area and knocking on doors. Kondek, 45, was a 17-year veteran of the department who worked many years on the midnight shift, officials said. Originally from New York, he spent five years as an officer with the New York City Police Department before moving to Florida. His wife works for the Pasco County Clerk's office. He is the fourth officer killed in the line of duty in Tarpon Springs history. The last was Lanny Langford, who died in a crash on Nov. 18, 1969.
Before that, Everett Blewfield was killed by gunfire in 1926 and Marshal Rueben Jones was killed by gunfire in 1921. U.S. Senator Marco Rubio issued the following statement regarding the killing of police officers in Tarpon Springs and New York City:
“Earlier today my wife and I were saddened to hear of the killing of Tarpon Springs police officer Charles Kondek, just hours after the nation was shocked by the horrific murder of two NYPD officers. These killings are stark and somber reminders of the risks our men and women in law enforcement take each and every day to keep us and our families safe.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the fallen, the men and women of the Tarpon Springs and New York Police Departments, and with the brave men and women of law enforcement across the country who continue their work today undaunted and undeterred. As we should every day, I thank them for the courage and sacrifices they and their families make in the service of our communities.”
On Sunday, Congressman David Jolly tweeted the following posts regarding the killing of Kondek:
"I'm saddened by the loss of Tarpon Springs Police Officer Charles Kondek, a man who dedicated his life to serving and protecting others."
"My heartfelt condolences go out to Officer Kondek's family and loved ones."
God res the soul of Officer Kondek and give comfort to his family and loved ones during this time of loss.
Another POS in need of rapid bullet insertion therapy.
This turd should have been kept in prison. The criminal justice system is a crock.
Cranial Lead Implant Therapy.
The acronym doesn’t work very well.
How can a young yout with 30 felonies be out loose in society. Was this an 0bama release of illegal immigrant program?
Unfortunately, in the prison subculture, this scumbag will be at the top and will be considered a hero.
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